Cortland Herpetology Connection

http://www.cortland.edu/herp/keys/frogkey.htm

Frog Key
See also species distribution maps at the New York State
Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project website.

Key to the families of adult frogs in New York

1.a. Pupil of eye vertical Pelobatidae

1.b. Pupil horizontal 2
2.a. Parotoid glands present Bufonidae
2.b. Parotoid glands absent 3
3.a. Intercalary cartilage between last two phalanges
of the toes, some with pads at toe tips Hylidae
3.b. No intercalary cartilage, no toe pads Ranidae

Key to the species of the family Pelobatidae of New York

1.a. Only species found in New York Eastern Spadefoot toad

Scaphiopus holbrookii

Key to the species of the family Bufonidae of New York

1.a. One or two warts in each dark spot on back, warts

on shank generally larger than those on thigh American toad
Bufo americanus
1.b. 3-4 warts in each dark spot on back, warts on shank
not larger than those on thigh Fowler's toad
Bufo fowleri

Key to the species of the family Hylidae of New York

1.a. Slight webbing on hind foot, smooth skin 2

1.b. Extensive webbing on hind foot, warty skin 3

2.a. Slender dark X on back, dark triangle between eyes, toe pads
moderate in size Spring peeper
Pseudacris crucifer
2.b. Approximately three dark stripes on back, pale upper lip,
narrow head, toe pads small Western chorus frog
Pseudacris triseriata

3.a. Toe pads large, distinct dark dorsal blotches, light spot beneath
eye, often orange inside thighs Gray treefrog
Hyla chrysoscelis/versicolor
3.b. Toe pads absent, dark triangle between eyes, irregular blotches
on back, dark line along thigh Northern cricket frog
Acris crepitans

Key to the species of the family Ranidae of New York

1.a. Distinct dorsal spots present 2

1.b. No distinct dorsal spots 4

2.a. Dorsal spots square and in paired rows along back, often yellow or
orange inside thighs Pickerel frog
Rana palustris
2.b. Dorsal spots rounded, not paired 3
3.a. Pointed snout, usually a white spot on tympanum,
usually no dark spot above snout Southern leopard frog
Rana sphenocephala
3.b. Snout less pointed, no white spot on tympanum,
usually a dark spot above snout Northern leopard frog
Rana pipiens
4.a. Dark mask beneath eye and enclosing tympanum,
dorsolateral ridge distinct, body uniformly tan or brown Wood frog
Rana sylvatica
4.b. No mask 5
5.a. Webbing reaches tip of 4th hind toe, hind legs with dark spots or
blotches, tympanum smaller than or equal to size of eye Mink frog
Rana septentrionalis
5.b. Webbing fails to reach tip of 4th hind toe, hind legs often with dark
cross bands, tympanum equal to or greater than eye 6
6.a. Dorsolateral ridge present on body Green frog
Rana clamitans
6.b. Dorsolateral ridge absent Bullfrog
Rana catesbeiana